A new miniature electric commuter car has been unveiled by Electra Meccanica to help reduce traffic congestion during rush hour. The Solo has been dubbed an ‘electric commuter car’ which is environmentally-friendly. However, it’s bizarre three-wheeled design, reminiscent of the Reliant Robin, is not such an appealing option.

Makers claim it isn’t intended to replace the family car, and is meant for single use. Solo’s designers considered just how many people commute to and from work alone in their larger cars – hence, why it has a single seat for the driver, with space in the rear to place a laptop, belongings, shopping and valuables.

Its small size allows the Solo to reach a 100-mile driving range in just one full charge. Considering the average daily round trip to work is around 40 miles it means one charge could last for two days of commuting.

According to Hybrid Cars, Electra Meccanica is based in Canada and is the electric division of InterMeccanica, who have been building custom vehicles and car parts since 1959.

The firm believes the Solo will become the commuter vehicle of choice for the masses, delivering them a non-polluting and very economical offering.

What’s more, the makers say the electric car is fun to drive and will become so familiar on roads that the quirky design will grow on consumers.

The Solo houses a 16.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery which provides power to operate the back wheel. The motor produces 82 horsepower which will take you from 0 to 60 mph in less than eight seconds, with a top speed of 80 mph.

With the asking price at around $15,000, the Solo is a cheap addition to the electric car market. The car is small enough to fit into car spaces earmarked for motorcycles and the battery can be fully charged in just three hours.

Although this little run around may get you to work on time, enabling you to zip around traffic and fit into hard to reach spaces, the safety implications are yet to be realized.

It’s a bold idea, that has many positive attributes, but it remains to be seen what will happen to the unlucky driver if they are hit by a Mini Cooper, or even worse a bulky Sedan.